Pennington County Jail
Pennington County Jail
Day or night, you can get inmate information from the 74-bed Pennington County Jail by calling 218-416-7097.
Misdemeanor and felony arrests made in this county are brought to this facility, where the arrestee goes through booking and processing. When the charges require it, the person is held until they are released on bond, released on their own recognizance, or ordered to stay in custody until their trial is resolved.
The inmate search tool lets you browse the roster of people who have been arrested and remain in custody.
If found guilty, inmates with sentences of less than one year serve their time here. Those with longer sentences serve their time in the Minnesota State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page explains how to use the jail roster, how to reach the facility, and how inmate services work, including visitation hours and policies, inmate accounts, mail, inmate calls, voicemail, email and text, tablet rentals, bail, and commissary.
You’ll often be asked for the inmate’s booking number or jail ID, so save it once you find it. If you can’t locate it online, call Pennington County Jail at 218-416-7097.
Inmate Services
Phone
218-416-7097Mailing address (personal mail)
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Mailing address (legal mail or subscriptions)
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Pennington County Jail, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 218-416-7097 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up any offender's court case online with the Minnesota Court Records Online application.
Pennington County Jail Inmate Search
The Pennington County Jail maintains an average of 74 offenders in custody on any given day. The Pennington County Jail has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Pennington County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 1,480 offenders.
The following charts of Pennington County inmate population demographics are updated daily. The information shown is for today. For research purposes we have broken down the inmates by sex, age, ethnicity, and criminal charges.
The information is compiled from the Pennington County Corrections Department, the state of Minnesota Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in Pennington County.
For complete information on how to get directions, bond, visit, mail, send and receive email and texts, receive phone calls, and send money or commissary to an inmate, find arrest information for Pennington County and other counties surrounding this one, scroll down this page. We have a section for each.
We also provide photos of the jail that we have collected over the years.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessThe 74-bed Pennington County Jail is responsible for the housing and care of those who are accused or convicted of committing a misdemeanor or felony in Pennington County as they wait for their trial or as they serve their sentence, usually less than one year.
It serves many law enforcement organizations including the Sheriff’s Department, local police, Immigration, and other surrounding counties as needed.
If you have questions regarding an inmate or the programs and services provided, the staff can be reached at 218-416-7097, and an online listing of all the detainees is published for your own investigation.
Upon intake, the booking process is completed, which includes a medical screening, fingerprinting and mugshots, DNA sample, along with an assessment to determine security needs, medical needs, mental health requirements, and housing assignment.
Staff is available to transport all inmates to court dates and any medical appointments or emergency needs, as well as inspecting all mail for contraband, receiving commissary funds and other money for inmates, maintaining the safety of the community and the security of the facility, and other tasks.
The Pennington County Jail also provides several other services to inmates including basic needs in meals, laundry, and hygiene items, and programs including AA, counseling, religious programs, education, recreation, and opportunities to grow social and life skills.
Along with the efforts made by the staff, reduced recidivism is seen when inmates are able to stay in contact and supported by their family or friends who are not incarcerated so mail, phones, and visits are provided.
Visits are in person, and are via video and an account is created online to book and complete visits, allowing both visitors and inmates to schedule a visit.
Phone accounts are also registered online, and allow for inmates to make outgoing calls during the daytime and evening hours when they are not participating in a task or program.
Information for money for an inmate’s commissary can be found on our Inmate Money page.
All personal mail is sent to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Staff will open each piece and look for contraband, which is removed before it is given to the inmate.
Legal mail, money orders, books and newspaper and magazine subscriptions are mailed to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
- Jail (Main): 218-416-7097
- Inmate Voice Mail: 218-416-1120
The booking process explained for Pennington County Jail
Following an arrest, individuals are processed at Pennington County Jail. The booking process confirms identity, charges, and whether the individual will be released, granted bail, or held until court.
It is advisable to remain silent during booking, as anything said can be used against the individual later. Legal counsel should be consulted before any statements are made.
The booking steps at Pennington County Jail include:
- Identification verification.
- Taking mugshots.
- Answering questions about health, criminal history, and gang affiliations.
- Possible DNA sample collection.
- A full-body search.
- Confiscating personal items for safekeeping.
- Providing a phone call.
To inquire about posting bond for an arrestee, contact the facility at 218-416-7097.
What are the bail options in Pennington County after an arrest?
Once arrested, an individual may be brought to Pennington County Jail in Thief River Falls for processing. The next steps vary:
1. The individual may be released without paying bail and ordered to appear on a set date.
2. The individual could be held in jail until their hearing.
3. Posting bail or bond allows them to be released. Call 218-416-7097 to confirm the bail amount.
There are several ways to pay an individual’s bail.
- A cash bond is posted by paying the whole amount at the jail bonding window or the clerk's office with cash, a cashier's check or a money order, and many facilities also accept cards at a kiosk or through an online bond vendor for a fee; bring the inmate's full name and booking number, and the jail's line is 218-416-7097.
- Licensed bail bond agencies in Pennington County can provide assistance.
- Courts in many places accept real property, such as land or a house, as bond collateral when the owner documents clear title and equity of at least the bond amount, often double, with a deed and a recent tax or appraisal value, and the court that set bail approves.
For more information about bail in Pennington County, Minnesota, see the Pennington County Jail Bail Guide.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Visit an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail? What is the Schedule?
Pennington County Jail ON-SITE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE
102 First Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
218-416-7097
- You must be on the inmate's visitor list.
- The actual visitation times may depend on the inmate and their housing location. Call 218-416-7097 and get your inmate's times and make an appointment to visit.
- Visitors must have a government issued photo ID.
- Dress professionally with non-revealing clothing.
ON SITE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE - SCHEDULE THROUGH INMATE CANTEEN.COM
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY |
9:30AM - 11:10AM 7:00PM - 8:40PM |
| MONDAY | 7:30AM - 8:40AM 9:30 AM - 11:10AM 7:00PM - 8:40PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:30AM - 11:10AM |
| WEDNESDAY | 7:30AM - 8:40AM 9:30 AM - 11:10AM 7:00PM - 8:40PM |
| THURSDAY | 7:30AM - 8:40AM 9:30 AM - 11:10AM 7:00PM - 8:40PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:30AM - 11:10AM |
| SATURDAY |
9:30AM - 11:10AM 7:00PM - 8:40PM |
Pennington County Jail uses the services of Inmate Canteen for 'At the Jail' Visitation with Inmates.
For best results use Google Chrome as your browser for accessing Inmate Canteen.
Instructions on Inmate Video Visitation:
- Register or Log in to your account
- Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to visit.
- Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
- Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.
Video Visitation must be done from a computer using Google Chrome and an updated Adobe Flash player. Before starting this process you must make sure that your Adobe Flash player is fully updated and that you are using Google Chrome. First... Set up Flash, then restart your computer and then go to Google Chrome on your desktop or laptop computer and log on to Inmate Canteen.
Steps Inmate canteen Visitation:
1. Go to www.inmatecanteen.com on a computer (not supported on mobile devices i.e. tablets, cell phones, etc)
2. Log in, select your inmate, and select the Video Visit an Inmate option.
3. You will be required to fill out a form, submit a driver's license picture and a picture of your face. Once submitted, Pennington County Jail will either approve or deny it.
4. Once approved you will be all set to video visit!
NOTES: Make sure you are allowing flash player to run in google chrome by selecting the lock icon to left of the browser. Flash Player needs to be set to “allow”. Then you can refresh the page and it should be good to go. If flash player is being blocked you will not be able to take a picture or see any video during the visitation. When you click on the video visitation link on the website, please visit the Audition Room to test your equipment. To find the Audition Room, please click on 'Video Visit an Inmate' and it will be located on the top of your screen. Here you can test and verify that your webcam and microphone are working. We highly recommend a hard line for video visiting, unstable internet can result in poor visit qualities.
How to Have Remote Video Visits with an Inmate in Pennington County
To register and sign up for a remote visitation account with Inmate Canteen to communicate with your Pennington County Jail inmate, follow the instructions below:
- Register and create an account with your Pennington County inmate using Inmate Canteen.
- Inmate Canteen has excellent quality video visits between your home device and a video terminal in the inmate's housing area at Pennington County Jail.
- You can also send and receive secure messages and use them to make and receive phone calls with your Pennington County inmate.
- This is a fee based service.
Instructions for Inmate Video Visitation:
- Register or Log in to your account
- Select Pennington County Jail and the inmate you wish to visit.
- Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
- Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.
For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding visiting with an inmate (both at the jail and remotely) in Pennington County, visit our full page guide.
Inmate Canteen Customer Service can be reached at 715-690-2965, or by email at support@inmatecanteen.com.
NOTE: All video visits are recorded and stored. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
Also, be warned that some video visits providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail?
Pennington County Jail uses the services of Inmate Canteen for Remote Video Visitation with Inmates.
For best results use Google Chrome as your browser for accessing Inmate Canteen.
Instructions on Inmate Video Visitation:
- Register or Log in to your account
- Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to visit.
- Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
- Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.
Video Visitation must be done from a computer using Google Chrome and an updated Adobe Flash player. Before starting this process you must make sure that your Adobe Flash player is fully updated and that you are using Google Chrome. First... Set up Flash, then restart your computer and then go to Google Chrome on your desktop or laptop computer and log on to Inmate Canteen.
Steps Inmate canteen Visitation:
1. Go to www.inmatecanteen.com on a computer (not supported on mobile devices i.e. tablets, cell phones, etc)
2. Log in, select your inmate, and select the Video Visit an Inmate option.
3. You will be required to fill out a form, submit a driver's license picture and a picture of your face. Once submitted, Pennington County Jail will either approve or deny it.
4. Once approved you will be all set to video visit!
NOTES: Make sure you are allowing flash player to run in google chrome by selecting the lock icon to left of the browser. Flash Player needs to be set to “allow”. Then you can refresh the page and it should be good to go. If flash player is being blocked you will not be able to take a picture or see any video during the visitation. When you click on the video visitation link on the website, please visit the Audition Room to test your equipment. To find the Audition Room, please click on 'Video Visit an Inmate' and it will be located on the top of your screen. Here you can test and verify that your webcam and microphone are working. We highly recommend a hard line for video visiting, unstable internet can result in poor visit qualities.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail?
Instructions on purchasing commissary items for an inmate:
NOTE: Pennington County Jail may only allow online deposits for local commissary purchasing.
1. Register or Log in to your account at Inmate Canteen.
2. Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
3. Select the "Purchase Items" option.
4. Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.
Inmate Canteen Customer Service can be reached at 715-690-2965, or by email at support@inmatecanteen.com.
How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Pennington County
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Pennington County Jail follow these steps:
- Register to create an account, or Log in to your account at Inmate Canteen if you already have one.
- Select Minnesota, then Pennington County Jail, and then the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
- Select the "Purchase Commissary Items" option.
- Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.
- NOTE: Pennington County Jail may at times only allow online deposits for your inmate to purchase their own commissary locally.
For all information, tips and to see the hundreds of available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Pennington County Jail, or to see how deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own commissary, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Pennington County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow do I Mail an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail, and what can I send them?
Pennington County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines
Postcards
Ask the Pennington County Jail whether it accepts postcards, and what size and type, before mailing one. Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
The Pennington County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.
Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope.
Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.
Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.
Books
Ask the Pennington County Jail whether books can be mailed in, and whether they must come straight from a publisher or retailer such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Pennington County Jail standards will be disposed of.
Ask the Pennington County Jail whether hardcover books are accepted.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Pennington County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?
For inmates receiving mail in the Pennington County Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.
All mail is to be shipped to the Pennington County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail, and what can I purchase?
Pennington County Jail uses the services of Inmate Canteen for Online Commissary Purchases for an Inmate.
Inmate Canteen Customer Service can be reached at 715-690-2965, or by email at support@inmatecanteen.com.
NOTE: Pennington County Jail may only allow online deposits for local commissary purchasing.
For best results use google chrome as your browser for accessing Inmate Canteen.
Instructions on purchasing commissary items for an inmate:
- Register or Log in to your account
- Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
- Select the "Purchase Items" option
- Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in Pennington County
To send a secure email message to an inmate in Pennington County Jail follow these steps:
- Register with Inmate Canteen to create an account or log in if you already have one.
- Select Minnesota, then select Pennington County Jail, and then the inmate you want to send your message to.
- Add money to your account.
- Verify your email.
- Send message.
- NOTE: All messages between you and your Pennington County inmate will be permanently recorded and seen by the staff and could be used against your inmate in court.
For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Pennington County Jail, the costs, rules, policies and more check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Pennington County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessDo Inmates in the Pennington County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Pennington County?
Nearby counties
This facility, known as "Pennington County Jail" is also known as Pennington County Jail , Pennington County Jail , Minnesota, Pennington.